The Printing Industries Association of Australia (Printing Industries) has reacted with anger following the recent revelation that a $10 million Qantas print tender stipulates offshore low-cost producers should be explored.
Printing Industries has spoken to a number of printing organisations to verify the claim and is seeking an urgent meeting with Qantas to discuss the issue.
Printing Industries CEO Philip Andersen said he was both alarmed and concerned about the Qantas tender.
“For an iconic Australian company like Qantas to insert such a clause in its latest print tender is totally unacceptable to us and, we believe, will be unacceptable to the tens of thousands of print industry workers and the Australian public.,” he said.
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| Philip Anderson, Printing Industries CEO |
Mr Andersen said Qantas should not be mandating how print is sourced as that was something best determined by individual print suppliers.
“We do not question modern business realities as Printing Industries appreciates that we do operate in an increasingly globalised environment. We do however have an issue with the active encouragement of offshore outsourcing in tender documents,” he said.
Mr Andersen said the Qantas tender controversy comes just a week after the Association’s Board approved the launch of a Print in Australia Campaign.
“Printing Industries proposed the launch of a Print in Australia campaign following concerns by members that government agencies and corporate Australia is sending printing work offshore to the detriment of both local industry and jobs,” he said.
Printing Industries National Manager for Policy and Government Affairs, Hagop Tchamkertenian said the Association was gearing up for a campaign to persuade Qantas to remove the controversial clause from future printing tenders.
“We are also making representation directly to the Qantas Board highlighting our concerns and the concerns of the industry,” he said.
“Besides the potential impact on local industry, Qantas must also realise that printed work done offshore is unlikely to abide by the strict labour, occupational health and safety and environmental standards that apply to local printing work,” he said.
“Qantas also has to appreciate that there is a significant environmental cost associated with getting printing done offshore and then having those items shipped to Australia. The carbon miles associated with offshore printing can be significant,” Mr Tchamkertenian said.
Printing Industries Association of Australia
www.printnet.com.au
